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Swordhand of Night Jolan and Anna

Swordhand of Night Jolan and Anna is an optional Shadow of the Erdtree encounter tied to Count Ymir’s quest and the rewards associated with Jolan and Anna.

RoleOptional boss encounter and quest-related NPC battle
StatusOptional; quest-related
Importancesupporting
LocationFinger Ruins of Miyr
RewardJolan and Anna Spirit Ashes

Key takeawaysSpoilers

Use the encounter as part of the wider Count Ymir quest rather than rushing directly to the fight.

  • Optional encounter Defeating Swordhand of Night Jolan and Anna is not necessary for the main Shadow of the Erdtree story, but it is relevant to the questline and its character rewards.
  • Return to the cathedral The Cathedral of Manus Metyr is the safest progress check. After each Finger Ruins objective, return to the cathedral, speak with Count Ymir and Jolan, and check whether new dialogue or an interaction has appeared.
  • Control the duo The fight is easier when Jolan and Anna are not allowed to attack simultaneously from opposite sides. Use the arena to create distance, punish one opponent briefly, then reposition before the second can surround you.
  • Check the reward path The quest can lead to Jolan and Anna Spirit Ashes. If the reward is your goal, complete the relevant dialogue and item interactions instead of leaving immediately after the battle.
  • Expect spoilers The encounter reveals major information about Jolan, Anna, Count Ymir, and the Finger Ruins. Read the strategy and lore sections only after deciding whether you want those quest developments revealed.

Swordhand of Night Jolan and Anna overviewSpoilers

Swordhand of Night Jolan and Anna is an optional encounter associated with the Cathedral of Manus Metyr questline in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Swordhand of Night Jolan and Anna is a quest-related encounter involving two members of the night-bound swordhand tradition. The encounter is connected to Count Ymir, the Cathedral of Manus Metyr, and the sequence of Finger Ruins objectives that leads through the late stages of Ymir’s quest. It is not required to complete the main story of Shadow of the Erdtree, but it matters to players pursuing the quest’s character outcomes and spirit-ash rewards.

The encounter becomes relevant while following Count Ymir’s maps to the Finger Ruins. Progress through the quest changes the situation around Jolan and eventually exposes the connection between Jolan and Anna. Players should treat the Cathedral of Manus Metyr as the quest hub: return there after completing each major Finger Ruins objective, speak with the available characters, and exhaust their dialogue before moving to the next location.

Jolan and Anna fight as dangerous humanoid opponents rather than as a conventional gigantic remembrance boss. Their threat comes from pressure, mobility, and the possibility of being attacked from more than one angle. Separating them, maintaining enough space to read their attacks, and avoiding a greedy attack after one opponent is staggered are more important than relying on a single high-damage opening.

The encounter is distinctive because its importance extends beyond the immediate fight. Jolan’s fate and Anna’s connection to her affect the related spirit-ash reward path, while the surrounding quest also leads to the confrontation with Metyr, Mother of Fingers. Players who want the complete quest outcome should avoid treating the battle as an isolated field encounter and should finish the associated dialogue and item choices before leaving the area.

Requirements

The encounter is gated by progress through Count Ymir’s Cathedral of Manus Metyr questline rather than by a conventional character level requirement.

  • RequiredReach the Cathedral of Manus MetyrBegin the associated quest sequence by meeting Count Ymir and Swordhand of Night Jolan at the cathedral.
  • RequiredAdvance the Finger Ruins objectivesFollow Count Ymir’s maps and interact with the objectives in the Finger Ruins, returning to the cathedral between major stages.
  • RequiredExhaust quest dialogueSpeak with Count Ymir and Jolan after each major progression point. New dialogue and state changes may not appear until the available conversation has been completed.
  • RecommendedPrepare for a two-opponent encounterA shield, area control, ranged pressure, spirit ash, or another tool that helps prevent simultaneous attacks is recommended, although the game does not require one specific build.
  • RecommendedCarry healing and FP resourcesThe encounter can punish repeated trades, and players using summons, weapon skills, or sorceries may need enough FP to maintain their chosen approach.

Encounter phasesSpoilers

  1. 1

    Opening: establish separation

    Starts: The encounter begins when the hostile NPC opponents become active.

    Do not commit to a long opening combo. Move toward an edge or open part of the arena so that Jolan and Anna approach from a readable direction instead of letting one reach your back while you fight the other.

    • Fast sword pressureTell The swordhands close distance quickly and can chain short melee attacks before you recover from a hit.Answer Keep enough stamina for a dodge or guard after every punish, and stop attacking when the second opponent enters striking range.
    • Cross-angle approachTell One opponent may hold your attention while the other reaches you from the side or rear.Answer Circle so both enemies remain on the same side of your character, then attack only after confirming the second opponent is not starting a lunge.
    • A summon or durable ash can hold one opponent long enough for you to focus on the other.
    • Ranged attacks are safest immediately after both opponents finish a committed animation, not while one is still closing distance.
  2. 2

    Mid-fight: reduce the pressure

    Starts: One opponent loses a substantial portion of health or is temporarily staggered.

    The fight becomes more manageable once one target is close to defeat, but the remaining opponent still prevents careless execution. Use short punish windows and avoid standing over a downed or staggered target if the other swordhand can reach you.

    • Recovery punishTell A stagger or knockdown creates an apparent opening, but the other opponent can cover the recovery.Answer Take one controlled attack, then roll or retreat rather than extending the combo into the second opponent’s range.
    • Retaliatory melee chainTell The active opponent can immediately resume close-range pressure when you heal or attempt a slow attack.Answer Heal after creating line-of-sight distance or after a summon draws attention; do not heal beside the target you just staggered.
    • Prioritize the opponent that is easiest for your build to control, then finish that target before switching.
    • Status effects and stance damage can shorten this phase, but only if you can apply them without being surrounded.
  3. 3

    Closing: finish the survivor

    Starts: Only one of Swordhand of Night Jolan and Anna remains active.

    With the duo reduced to one opponent, the encounter loses its crossfire threat. Continue to respect the survivor’s fast melee range and use the same short-punish approach until the fight ends.

    • Close-range retaliationTell The surviving swordhand remains capable of punishing healing, spell casts, and long recovery animations.Answer Bait an attack, evade through or away from it, and answer during the recovery rather than opening with an unsafe attack.
    • Do not assume the last opponent is harmless because the encounter is nearly over; preserve healing and stamina until the victory state appears.

Boss encounter strategySpoilers

  • Location
    Finger Ruins of Miyr

Begin by moving laterally and identifying which opponent is committing to you. Keep Jolan and Anna on the same side of the character whenever possible, because allowing them to attack from opposite directions is the main source of unavoidable-looking pressure. Use a spirit ash, ranged attack, shield, or terrain position to create a one-on-one window, then make brief attacks against the isolated target. Retreat as soon as the second opponent closes in. After one opponent falls, the encounter becomes a conventional humanoid duel; continue baiting attacks and punishing recovery rather than trading blows.

Weaknesses

  • The encounter is vulnerable to ordinary humanoid-fight tactics such as stance pressure, status buildup, and attacks that punish recovery animations, although the most effective option depends on the player’s build.
  • The duo is more vulnerable when forced to approach through a narrow line or when one opponent is held away by a summon.

Rewards

  • Quest progression associated with Jolan and Anna
  • Access to the Jolan and Anna Spirit Ashes reward path

StrategySpoilers

  1. 01

    Start Count Ymir’s questline

    Meet Count Ymir at the cathedral

    Travel to the Cathedral of Manus Metyr and speak with Count Ymir and Swordhand of Night Jolan. Exhaust the available dialogue so the quest can advance and the first map or objective is properly established.

    Location: Cathedral of Manus Metyr

    TipIf the next objective does not appear, speak to both characters again and check every available dialogue option.

    Watch outLeaving without completing the dialogue can make the intended progression unclear, even though the broader area remains accessible.

  2. 02

    Complete the first map objective

    Follow the first Finger Ruins map

    Use Count Ymir’s instructions to reach the indicated Finger Ruins and interact with the quest objective there. Explore cautiously on the approach, then return to the cathedral after completing the interaction rather than continuing blindly into later areas.

    Location: First Finger Ruins objective

    TipThe maps point toward the next quest location; compare the map landmark with the surrounding terrain instead of searching every ruin at random.

    Watch outDo not assume the quest has ended after the first interaction; the cathedral visit after each objective is part of the sequence.

    Checkpoint
  3. 03

    Advance the quest state

    Return to Count Ymir and Jolan

    Go back to the Cathedral of Manus Metyr and speak with Count Ymir and Jolan again. The quest state changes through these conversations, and the next map or direction is obtained from the updated dialogue.

    Location: Cathedral of Manus Metyr

    TipRest or reload the area if a character has not changed state after the objective, then check the cathedral again.

    Watch outSkipping the return visit can leave later quest interactions unavailable until the dialogue is completed.

  4. 04

    Complete the next map objective

    Complete the later Finger Ruins objective

    Travel to the next Finger Ruins destination indicated by Count Ymir and activate its quest objective. The route may involve reaching a new section of the Realm of Shadow, so unlock nearby Sites of Grace before committing to the longer approach.

    Location: Finger Ruins destination shown by Count Ymir’s map

    TipTreat the surrounding Finger Ruins as an exploration area and avoid spending all healing before the objective interaction.

    Watch outThe exact route and encounter order are quest-dependent; return to the cathedral after the objective instead of assuming the next step begins at the ruins.

    Checkpoint
  5. 05

    Trigger the late quest development

    Resolve the cathedral confrontation

    After the later quest progression, revisit the Cathedral of Manus Metyr and investigate the changed situation around Count Ymir and Jolan. The resulting confrontation and interactions reveal the route toward the Jolan and Anna encounter.

    Location: Cathedral of Manus Metyr

    TipSearch the cathedral interior and its immediate surroundings if the expected interaction is not visible; the quest’s late state is tied to the cathedral rather than a random field location.

    Watch outThis stage contains major quest spoilers and can alter which characters remain available for dialogue.

  6. 06

    Defeat both opponents

    Fight Swordhand of Night Jolan and Anna

    When the duo encounter begins, avoid standing between the two swordhands. Draw them toward the same side of the arena, use a summon or ranged pressure to occupy one, and finish one target before attempting extended attacks on the survivor.

    Location: Finger Ruins of Miyr

    TipA short attack followed by repositioning is safer than a full combo. Preserve stamina for the second opponent’s approach even when the first target appears staggered.

    Watch outA death resets the encounter from its checkpoint, so do not spend all healing or FP before the final opponent is defeated.

    Checkpoint
  7. 07

    Secure the quest reward

    Complete the reward interactions

    After the encounter and the connected quest events, return to the relevant character or interact with the associated quest reward. The Jolan and Anna Spirit Ashes path depends on completing the surrounding quest rather than simply finding the duo in the world.

    Location: Cathedral of Manus Metyr and related quest locations

    TipExhaust dialogue before choosing between quest items when prompted, because the choice can affect which version of a reward becomes available.

    Watch outThe quest contains mutually exclusive item choices involving Iris items; record your intended reward before handing one over.

Pre-fight checklist

  • Complete the current Count Ymir dialogue at the Cathedral of Manus MetyrThe encounter is part of the quest state, not an unrelated early-world boss.
  • Bring a way to split the duoA spirit ash, ranged pressure, shield control, or a position that limits one opponent’s approach can turn the crossfire into a series of one-on-one exchanges.
  • Keep healing available for the final opponentDo not spend every flask while trying to burst the first target.
  • Keep enough FP for the chosen ash or skillResource-heavy builds should enter with enough FP to maintain their separation plan.Optional
  • Decide whether the Jolan and Anna Spirit Ashes path is your intended rewardThe related quest includes reward choices and later interactions.Optional

Weaknesses and damage

Strengths

  • Two humanoid opponents can cover each other’s recovery windows and punish attacks aimed at only one target.
  • Their mobility makes slow attacks and long animation commitments risky when both are active.
  • The encounter applies pressure through positioning as much as through raw damage, so poor arena control can make a strong build appear ineffective.

Weaknesses

  • They can be managed with the same tools that work well against other humanoid enemies: stance damage, status buildup, ranged harassment, and attacks timed after a committed swing.
  • Summons and other forms of aggro management are especially valuable because they remove the duo’s crossfire advantage.
  • Once one opponent is defeated, the remaining enemy loses the ability to attack from a second angle and is substantially easier to read.

Best uses

  • Strength or heavy-weapon builds should favor isolated jump attacks or charged attacks rather than swinging into both enemies at once.
  • Dexterity and status-focused builds can exploit repeated short openings, but should disengage instead of continuing a status combo while the second opponent is nearby.
  • Ranged and spellcasting builds should use distance to force an approach, then reposition when either swordhand reaches melee range.

Failure conditionsSpoilers

  • The player dies during the encounterThe fight resets at the relevant checkpoint, requiring the player to return and defeat both opponents again.
  • The player allows both opponents to surround themJolan and Anna can cover different attack angles, making healing, casting, and recovery animations unsafe. Move until both are on one side before attacking.
  • The player spends all resources on the first opponentThe surviving swordhand can still defeat an exhausted character. Preserve stamina, healing, and FP for the closing duel.
  • The player advances the quest without checking dialogueReturning to the Cathedral of Manus Metyr and exhausting the available conversations is necessary for reliable quest progression and can prevent confusion about the next objective.
  • The player chooses an unintended Iris rewardThe associated quest includes Iris of Grace and Iris of Occultation choices. Decide which reward path is wanted before handing an item over, because the choices are not interchangeable.

On failure

The encounter is optional, but the surrounding quest state can change as the player completes Finger Ruins objectives and progresses the cathedral events.

Rewards and dropsSpoilers

  • Jolan and Anna Spirit Ashes
    A quest-related spirit ash that represents the paired night swordhands. It matters to players seeking a distinctive duo summon rather than a conventional weapon or armor reward.
  • Count Ymir quest progression
    Completing the encounter advances the connected Cathedral of Manus Metyr storyline and its revelations about the Finger Ruins.
  • Access to the Metyr quest conclusion
    The wider quest leads toward Metyr, Mother of Fingers, so defeating or resolving the Jolan and Anna encounter contributes to completing that optional narrative route.

LoreSpoilers

Jolan is presented as a Swordhand of Night, a figure whose identity is bound to secrecy, service, and the strange religious world surrounding Count Ymir. Anna is not merely another unrelated enemy: the two characters are connected through the quest’s revelations and through the paired spirit-ash reward associated with their names.

The Cathedral of Manus Metyr provides the narrative frame for the encounter. Count Ymir’s interest in the Finger Ruins and the strange beings beyond them draws Jolan into a chain of events that eventually connects the cathedral, the ruins, and Metyr, Mother of Fingers. The battle therefore functions as a character and quest turning point as much as a combat test.

The paired name is significant for players reading the quest as a story about identity and continuation. Jolan’s reward path can be developed into a combined Jolan and Anna Spirit Ashes outcome, making the relationship mechanically visible rather than leaving it only in dialogue and environmental context.

Trivia

  • The entity’s paired name reflects the connection between Jolan and Anna rather than presenting them as two unrelated encounters.
  • Jolan and Anna’s quest reward is notable because it turns a character relationship from Shadow of the Erdtree’s narrative into a paired Spirit Ashes summon.
  • The encounter is easy to confuse with the larger Metyr quest conclusion because both are reached through Count Ymir’s Cathedral of Manus Metyr storyline.
  • The Finger Ruins objectives are presented as a sequence of quest destinations, so returning to the cathedral is a core part of the quest structure rather than optional flavor dialogue.

Relationships

Questline

  • Count YmirQuest giverCount Ymir directs the Finger Ruins objectives connected to this encounter.

Locations

  • Cathedral of Manus MetyrQuest hubThe principal location for the associated dialogue and quest progression.
  • Finger Ruins of MiyrEncounter locationThe late quest location associated with the Jolan and Anna encounter.

Rewards

  • Jolan and Anna Spirit AshesQuest rewardThe paired spirit-ash reward associated with Jolan and Anna.